Kanji: 陪 (Accompany / Attend)
Meaning:
The kanji 陪 (bai) means to accompany, attend upon, or be in a secondary, supportive role. It carries a formal connotation, often used in legal or ceremonial contexts where someone assists or is present alongside a main figure.
Key Insight:
The character is a combination of the "mound/hill" radical (阝 on the left, meaning 'mound' or 'terrain') and 咅 (a component related to rejection, later reinterpreted as a marker for sound). It originally depicted a secondary city hill supporting the main capital, evolving into the idea of secondary attendance or support. Mastering the correct kanji writing and stroke order for "陪" is crucial for proper Japanese kanji writing.
Common Vocabulary:
Here are useful words containing 陪:
陪審 (baishin) - Jury. This is the most common word, literally meaning "to accompany in judgment."
Example: 陪審員が評決を下した。(Baishin'in ga hiketsu o kudashita.) - The juror reached a verdict.
陪席 (baiseki) - Associate (e.g., an associate judge); sitting alongside.
Example: 陪席裁判官 (baiseki saibankan) - An associate judge.
陪同 (baidō) - Attending or accompanying a superior (a formal term).
Example: 首相の海外訪問に陪同する。(Shushō no kaigai hōmon ni baidō suru.) - To accompany the Prime Minister on an overseas visit.
Example Sentence:
"The jury listened carefully to the evidence in the courtroom."
(陪審は法廷で証拠を注意深く聞いた。)
Learning how to write kanji like "陪" correctly ensures your writing is accurate and reflects its formal meaning of supportive attendance.